Senators' Erik Karlsson ruled out Thursday vs. Bruins

Senators' Erik Karlsson ruled out Thursday vs. Bruins

The Senators captain leads the team with 71 points and ranks fourth in the NHL in average ice time at 26:50 per game.

Ottawa will be missing it's captainwhen itfights fora playoff spot.

Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bruins with a "day to day" lower-body injury,coach Guy Boucher announced.

"Anybody losing their top player, it’s obviously a gigantic hole,"Boucher said. "But we’ve had games without Erik. We were playing it tight, and we have to play the same way. We don’t have the same breakout abilities. We don’t have the same taking the rush abilities, the transition into the offensive zone and all that … the power play … but I think as a team, our game won’t change. We’re playing the same way. We’re expecting our players to buy in."

Karlsson previouslymissed two games with a foot injury but returned Monday to recorda goal and assist in a shootout loss to the Red Wings. He added another goal in Tuesday's win over Detroit but failed to finish the game.

Karlsson leads the Senators with 71 points (17 goals, 54 assists)through 77gamesand ranks fourth in the NHL in average ice time at 26:50 per game.

Ottawa can clinchthe postseasonwith one point against the Bruins or losses by the Lightning and Islanders.